The Indian Government plans to launch a Vegetable Initiative that will leverage existing scheme and address the entire value chain from pre-production to consumption to meet the demand of vegetables in all State capitals and urban centres.

Government is planning to launch a Vegetable Initiative to meet the demand of vegetables in all State capitals and urban centres with population greater than 10 lakh. Under this initiative, States will be assisted in addressing the entire value chain, right from the stage of pre-production to the consumers table through appropriate measures.

State Governments have also been advised to leverage the components of existing schemes under Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH) and National Horticulture Mission (NHM) to ensure steady supply of quality vegetables to urban areas.

Under the existing schemes of HMNEH, NHM and scheme on Capital Investment Subsidy for Construction/Modernisation/Expansion of Cold Storage and Storage for Horticulture Produce of National Horticulture Board (NHB), financial assistance is available for setting up of post-harvest management infrastructure for various horticulture crops including vegetables like cold storages etc. Subsidy is, being provided at the rate of 40% (for general areas) and at the rate of 55% (for hilly and tribal areas) of capital cost of the project for both public and private sector enterprise. The subsidy for private sector is credit linked and back ended.

The cold storage component of NHM scheme is being implemented through State Horticulture Missions and the component of cold storage under HMNEH scheme is implemented through NHB. Setting up of cold storage is entrepreneur driven activity and entrepreneur submits the proposal to State Government which forwards the same to Government of India for approval.